The prior owner of this astounding black velvet evening coat inherited it from her aunt, a screenwriter in Hollywood who wore it on Oscars Night during the 1930's. Fittingly, it's deluxe from its tall shirred muff of a collar to the tips of the sleeves and is as beautifully detailed on the back as the front (click through for rear view). However, I think this is a 1920's piece, instead, based on its Egyptian beading motif (trendy at the time of the King Tut exhibition).

Sadly, there's damage to beads and netting here and there; worst is that some oaf let it hang for ages on a wire hanger, fraying the shoulders of the pleated Fortuny silk lining. (Couldn't you just kill? Shades of Mommie Dearest!)

If interested in undertaking restoration of a truly amazing, one-of-a-kind treasure, which I've priced barely over what I paid to acquire it in Santa Fe, please e-mail for further details and pix. It will be museum-quality once restored and, the way this coat is cut, it will fit anyone. Thanks for looking!